When we think of heart attacks, we may envision dire outcomes and dramatic symptoms like severe chest pain, profuse sweating and inability to breathe. Valvular heart disease can be just as dangerous but often exhibits more insidious symptoms that are not as easily recognized and may be mistaken for other, less serious problems.
Early detection means early intervention, so being mindful of symptoms is vital.
Endeavor Health interventional cardiologist Mark Ricciardi, MD, breaks down early signs and symptoms of valvular heart disease and the value of checking in with your physician.
Don’t ignore subtle signs
Valvular heart disease occurs when one of more of the heart’s four valves is damaged, diseased and not working properly to ensure blood flow through the heart. Left untreated, it can lead to heart failure.
“Patients with valvular heart disease may think their symptoms are due to simply getting older or they may chalk up increasing fatigue and activity intolerance to overall deconditioning from their bad hips or knees,” said Dr. Ricciardi.
Those early, and often subtle, signs include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue (specifically more fatigue during exertion or exercise)
- Lightheaded or dizziness
- Chest discomfort
In some cases, friends or family members may notice that the person is slowing down enough to suggest they see their doctor.
Any of these symptoms that persist are worth a visit with your primary care physician. “It’s important to listen to your body and not to ignore things that could suggest a heart problem,” said Dr. Ricciardi. “But there’s no need to panic either and often your physician can rule things out with a simple exam that gives you peace of mind.”
Noninvasive screening
A doctor will listen to your heart and if they hear a murmur, which can indicate a heart valve issue, the next step will likely be an echocardiogram, which is a noninvasive, effective screening tool.
The echocardiogram, or heart ultrasound, is used to diagnose many conditions including:
- Common valve problems like stenosis, narrowing or stiffening of the valve
- Regurgitation where valves don’t close properly and blood flows backward
- Prolapse where valve flaps don’t fully close and cause leaks
If a problem is identified, you will be referred to a cardiac specialist for further evaluation and treatment planning.
Minimally invasive treatment options
“These patients don’t always need surgery. Often, we start with watchful waiting, and in some cases medication can help. We’re not rushing patients into a procedure; we review the best options and decide together on the best course of treatment. And fortunately, we have many minimally invasive treatment options these days” said Dr. Ricciardi.
Age is the biggest risk factor for valvular disease, as heart valves can grow weaker with age. “We don’t think of valvular heart disease as lifestyle related as much as other cardiac conditions,” added Dr. Ricciardi. People can be born with a predisposition for heart valve defects or calcium buildup.
And ignoring the early signs is a major factor for progressive valvular heart disease and bad outcomes, stressed Dr. Ricciardi.
Listen to your body and share any persistent symptoms with your doctor so you can catch potential issues early.
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